Galgo Greyhound

The Spanish Galgo (Galgo Español) is a sighthound commonly used for hunting, particularly hare hunting in open terrain, but also rabbits, foxes and even wild boar.1 The Federation Cynologique Internationale has listed it in the group 10, sighthounds, section 3, standard n° 285. Although the Galgo has few births in France and registrations with the LOF (16 in 2005), several hundred of these sighthounds from Spain are adopted each year in this country. , as well as in Belgium and Switzerland. Care and health To date, no genetic disease has been identified in the Galgo, it is robust and hardy. The Short-haired Galgo should be brushed once a week, the wire-haired variety should be brushed more often. The baths should not be too frequent.2 The Galgo, able to pursue game over long distances, has an important need for exercise. He must be able to go out regularly and run as he pleases, long enough in places with no game. The Galgo, like all greyhounds, has developed special skills and has a different physiology from other dog breeds. Its reduced fatty mass influences the absorption, storage and elimination of anesthetic products. Certain products such as pentotal or thiobarbiturates should not be administered. It is recommended to follow anesthetic protocols specific to Greyhounds.

The Galgo is a very old greyhound. The etymology of its name proves its Celtic origins. The word galgo comes from the name canis gallicus given by the Romans to Vertragus (or ouertragoï), companion of the Celts who had colonized the western part of the Iberian Peninsula. Canis gallicus will become gallicus then galgo. According to Xavier Przezdjiecki 3, "Galgo and Vertragus are an extension of the Asian greyhound introduced into the West by the Celts". The Podenco, descendant of the Egyptian Tesem, undoubtedly also participated in the evolution of the Spanish Galgo. In the Spanish Middle Ages and unlike France or England, the Galgo belonged to peasants, bourgeois and nobles alike. It was, however, the favorite of the greats of Spain.a 2 In the 19th and 20th centuries, the Spaniards crossed the Galgo with the Greyhound in order to increase its speed in running. But subsequently, the breeders oriented their selection so as to return as close as possible to the original type. Anecdote François I, who was imprisoned in Spain following his defeat at the Battle of Pavia, received from Charles V as a companion in isolation... a Galgo. Art Several artists have painted the Galgo, notably: Vélasquez, Pieter Bruegel the Elder "Hunters in the snow (1565)" Francisco de Goya - "The hunting party (1775)". Sport In Spain, the Galgo is used for: hunting without a gun, which is authorized and still practiced today (reminder: in France, this technique is prohibited by the law of May 3, 1844). sporting events: el Campo - 2 galgos are judged on the pursuit of a live hare; la Lievre mecanica - running behind a mechanical lure; in Canadromo - race in cynodrome (fallen in disuse). In France, he can participate: in racing events on cynodromes or racing; sight pursuits on decoy (PVL) or coursing (given its past as a hunter, these events are very well suited for the Galgo). Galg greyhound racing In Spain, the Galgo is traditionally bred for hunting in rural areas (galgueros). Each year, hare hunting competitions ("carreras el campos") are organized in different regions. Greyhounds are released in pairs, the winner is the one who catches the hare. The final winner is proudly celebrated with his masters, from stadium to stadium. The martyrdom of the Galgo greyhounds in Spain These competitions are strongly denounced by certain associations. The losers are systematically eliminated in a cruel way inversely proportional to their hanged performances (sordidly called "pianist's technique": the dog is hanged long or short according to his performances to resist the strangulation for a longer or shorter time, leaning on his hind legs), thrown down a well, poisoned, left without being able to escape (restrained), starved, amputated, dragged behind a car to death, sold as fishing bait, used as live targets for shooting, as prey for pitbull type dog fights. Several tens of thousands of them are thus sacrificed every year. The legislation in force in this country on the rights of animals would not be applied to the owners. The "contempted" pride of the hunter whose dog(s) did not hunt to the extent of the owner's requirements would authorize the latter to punish his dog or dogs by torturing and imposing death that he chooses. We find similarities with bullfighting and the killing of the bull, the Galgo however suffering its fate and sometimes even returning to its master, amputated, blinded... More and more Spaniards are rising up against these cruel practices and want the Galgueros to be punished when they mistreat their dogs. The protection of the Galgo In addition, the status of this dog is almost zero in Spain, so this dog is considered a kind of tool for hunters and does not have a status protecting it like other pets. The result is that every year thousands of these dogs are not only abandoned but often killed and mutilated by their masters with impunity. Many French associations are fighting against this barbarity by carrying out public awareness campaigns, influencing to change the legislation and above all by offering galgos of all ages for adoption. The fate of Canarian greyhounds, called Podencos canario, is identical.

The Galgo puppy is like all puppies bursting with energy. However, with maturity, he becomes a reserved dog, attentive to his masters, serious, playful without imposing himself, affectionate. he knows how to be protective and dissuasive without falling into aggressiveness. He attaches himself to his master to better model himself on his activity. He travels very well by car. The Galgo was bred for hunting and leaves at the slightest sight of game. When the link to the master has taken place, it returns without problems after a frantic race. He needs walks and rides every day to return to the calm of the house. It reveals a double character: posed at home and explosive during exercise.